Method for handling iminocarboxylic acid salt

Abstract

An aqueous iminocarboxylic acid salt solution composition the iminocarboxylic acid salt of which has a structure of the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and Y is a sodium atom, a potassium atom, or an ammonium group, contains an aspartic acid backbone moiety whose molar ratio of the isomers, i.e. D form/L form, is in the range of 1/0 to 0.7/0.3 or D form/L form, in the range of 0/1 to 0.3/0.7, and accounts for a concentration in the range of 40 to 70% by weight and a method for handling the composition while keeping the pH value thereof kept in the range of 7 to 12.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for handling an iminocarboxylic acid salt represented by the formula (I): ##STR4## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and X is a sodium atom or an ammonium group, which comprises: handling the salt in the form of an aqueous solution wherein the salt contains an aspartic acid backbone moiety whose molar ratio of the isomers, designated as D form/L form is in the range of 1/10 to 0.7/0.3, or D form/L form in the range of 0/1 to 0.3/0.7, and accounts for a concentration in the range of 40 to 70% by weight, said method of handling selected from the group consisting of transporting the aqueous solution by means of a tank lorry, storing thereof as in a tank, and conveying thereof as by piping including pipes, valves and nozzles.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of said aqueous solution is in the range of 40 to 60% by weight. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of D form/L form is in the range of 0/1 to 0.3/0.7. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1, wherein X in the formula (I) is a sodium atom. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution has a pH in the range of 7 to 12. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution is in the range of -10 to +70° C. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution is in the range of -10 to +10° C. or 30 to 70° C. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the salt in the form of an aqueous solution is prepared by causing an aspartate to react with an epoxysuccinate or a maleate in an aqueous medium.